דניאל, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ט

A renewed military campaign is set into motion, but a shifting balance of power guarantees its failure. At the exact same time the following year, the King of the North launches another attack against the southern kingdom of Egypt. [מלבי״ם] explains the political climate behind this timing: after hearing about a peace agreement between two brothers in the rival kingdom, the King of the North abandons his previous strategy of deception. Instead, he chooses to strike openly and directly.

Despite his aggressive march into Egypt, this invasion ends in weakness and defeat, standing in stark contrast to his other military ventures. The primary approach among commentators, including [מצודת דוד] and [אבן עזרא], places this failed invasion as the middle of three major campaigns. In this view, the first campaign refers to a previous war where the king acted freely and returned home with massive wealth, while the last points to a future, final war where he will emerge victorious again, ultimately destroying Egypt and the Temple. Taking a different perspective, [רש״י] suggests that these contrasting campaigns actually refer to two previous, highly successful wars that have already taken place.

The fundamental reason for this campaign's unique failure lies in the king's brazen approach. [מלבי״ם] notes that unlike his other maneuvers, the king arrives with clear intentions to conquer and annex Egyptian territory for himself. This overt aggression forces the Egyptians to seek outside help, leading them to call upon Rome. In response, Rome steps in and issues a strict ultimatum to the King of the North: immediately retreat to his own land or face a full-scale war against the Roman empire.